Egypt enhances national security through recognition of INTERPOL Travel Document

LYON, France – Egypt has become the first country in North Africa to officially recognize the INTERPOL Travel Document, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing international police co-operation to benefit public safety and security.

The decision by Egypt, which means that holders of the INTERPOL Travel Document travelling on official police business will be awarded a visa at no cost upon arrival, was welcomed by INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble as ‘an important move in international policing’.

“Too often, INTERPOL officials travelling on police business face unnecessary delays at border control points when responding to a request from a member country for assistance following a terrorist attack, serious crime or natural disaster,” said Secretary General Noble.

“Egypt’s decision to recognize the INTERPOL Travel Document will significantly increase the ability of INTERPOL officials, from any of the Organization’s 188 member countries, to provide on-site support and assistance when needed,” added the INTERPOL chief.

Mr Noble also singled out for praise the efforts of Egypt’s Minister of the Interior Habib Ibrahim El-Adly, First Assistant Minister of the Interior for Public Security General Adly Fayed and Brigadier Magdy Elshafey, Director of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Cairo and Delegate for Africa on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee for their efforts and support.

“As more countries follow the example set by Egypt and other countries which have granted special visa status to INTERPOL Travel Documents, the more effective will be INTERPOL’s support and international police co-operation,” concluded the head of INTERPOL.

Four other countries – Brazil, Pakistan, Senegal and Swaziland – have already officially recognized the INTERPOL Travel Document which was formally endorsed by INTERPOL’s General Assembly in Qatar in November 2010.